French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Monday said it is important that French and European companies are treated on an equal footing with others and can benefit from a level playing field.
“We want to act in a spirit of cooperation for the greatest benefit of Bangladesh. This will encourage more European companies to invest in Bangladesh,” he said while joining Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat at the inauguration of Bangladesh’s new Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre.
This marks a major step forward in Bangladesh’s aviation modernization and a notable milestone in its partnership with France, said the French Embassy in Dhaka.
The Ambassador highlighted the project as a symbol of deepening cooperation between France and Bangladesh.
“The cooperation we celebrate today is an excellent example for companies, demonstrating that collaboration works and that we can develop new links between our two countries,” he said.
He emphasised that this collaboration reflects France’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s aviation sector - not only in enhancing safety and operational efficiency but also in expanding future capacity and connectivity.
“With a newly elected democratic government in Bangladesh, I believe the time has come to increase opportunities for cooperation and develop new partnerships. France is ready for that and so is the European Union,” he said.
Led by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, the project introduces a state-of-the-art nationwide system designed to significantly enhance airspace safety, efficiency, and capacity.
The new infrastructure - developed with support from the French technology company Thales—fully aligns with International Civil Aviation Organization standards and incorporates advanced air traffic control and surveillance technologies.
At the heart of this modernization is the newly constructed Air Traffic Management Centre, along with a cutting-edge control tower and radar facilities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Together, these upgrades provide comprehensive surveillance coverage, enabling more precise aircraft tracking and improved coordination across Bangladesh’s airspace.